Hydraulic step drilling unit



March 17, 1953 P. w. ROMINE ET AL 2,631,480

HYDRAULIC STEP DRILLING UNIT Filed March 5, 1951 INVENTORS. E m 14 mm.-

Patented Mar. 17, 1953 iPaulW.-Romine and Andrew Armstrongfst. Clair ,iShores,-Mich., assignors ofzone-third to Charles Leitschuh ApplicationzMarch, 195 1 ,\Serial No. 213,972

mdrill\andautomatically operative to advance the latter rapidly toward theworkpiece, ,then'to retard the rate -vof advance .of .the .drill just before vit :engagesthe workpiece. and toladvance the drill at the retardedlrate in a. drilling step unti1 the hole is drilled ,to .apredetermined depth approximatelyequal -.to its diameter, then to withdraw theidrill rapidly fromthenhole to clear the-same from shavings andto permit access of cooling fluid to thevdrilltip, then to repeat the foregoing cycle automatically until the desired finalidepth :of the 'lholeis achieved, whereupon the drilllis irapidly withdrawn finally 'from the hole and the automatic cycle terminated. The second and eachsucceeding rapid advance of the .drill, during theautomatic cyclecontinues until thedrill "approaches to withinajfraction of an inch of the bottom off .the hole drilled tithe priorystep. iTheIlength (if each drilling step at retarded rate zofiadvance.isrsubstantially thesame .as the initial dril1in stbip. v

"Another andlmorelsp'ecific xobJcct; is to provrde eameclianism o'f ;the, 'foregoing nature comprising ..a hydraulically operated drivingpiston within a lcylinder. and a-hydraulic dashpot ordriven piston within a cylinder andadapted to beoperatively. engaged and driven by'the driving piston when'the latter has'proceed'edina rapid advance stroke ffor a predetermined "adjustable distance. Hydraulic fluid in "advance "of the dashpot 'or driven piston is dischargedthrough a restricted high resistance'metering'valve'which retards the --rate off-advance ofthe drivingpis'ton. 'The'latter is-"also operatively' engaged with" the drill carriage to move the. same toward or from a workpiece to be drilled upon corresponding advance 'or with- "drawal "or the "driving piston. The relationship *therpi'stons :and drill carriageis-thus detertmlned '0 that the drill carriage :advanced #rapidly z toward :therwcrkpiece umtil just before the drill spindles-engages :the workpiece :Ihe

15 Claims. (01." 77- 3223) .2 driving pistonth-en comes into driving en agement with-thedriven or dashpot piston-and the rate of'a'dvance'of thedriving piston and carriage and drill moving therewith is retarded in accordance with 'theadjustment of the metering valve. -Hydraulic-"fluid discharged from the dashpot cylinder through the metering valve is conducted into an adjustable volume accumulator in hydraulic communication with a pressure switch in an electromagnetic circuit. 'When a predetermined-pressure develops in the accumulator to actuate the pressure switch, the electromag netic circuit is effective to-reverse the direction of movement ofthe driving'p-iston, so as to with draw the latter from the driven piston, and simultaneously open the pressure accumulator to a sump or drain. Upon withdrawalef the driving piston from 1 the driven piston, the latter will "remain substantially in 'position :to be engagedagain'by the driving piston uponarepeti- -tionof= the above cycle.

'The drill spindle movable linearly with the driving piston is adjusted so as to be withdrawn conveniently "from the workpiece when the driving piston is :at its limit 'of withdrawal move- *ment. The amount of' rapid advance movement of the driving piston prior'to its'drivingengagement with the driven piston :is adjusted so that the driving *engagement will. occur immediately before the drill engages'the workpiece. Accordinglythe drill'will-not be .jammedat highspeed "into the: workpiece, abutiwill move into the latter at thef'retarded speed determined Jay ;the dashpot action of fluid discharging in advance ofw-the drive'n piston through the metering valve.v 'Ifhe 'iatter-"is -ealso suitably adjusted .itovachieve thezde- 'sired'rratewof:drill. feed-*xiuring the drilling 0p- -eration. Also the adjustable accumulator; is adjustedvsorthat when-thedashpotor driven piston 'jhas advancedta:predetermined distanceiapproxi- ":mately 'equal to :the diameter I of the hole bein -drilled, -:the volume cfghydraulic fiuid received "by athe accumulator from the 'dashpot cylinder will :develop sufficient pressure in the accumula- .tor-;to actuate the pressure switch.

Anotheriobiect Of 717116 present inventioniisgto -:provide ta-step reed control apparatus of: the foregoing ,nature. including simple means .f or assuring aislightgreboundlor ,withdrawali movement ;of zthe ;,driven-:or dashpot piston after each drilling-step, the .driven piston thereafter remaining in position .as Jaforesaid flto be. enga ed Joy elthe i drivin gpiston -on the, next-succeeding s rapid ad vance stroke. Ifhe, rehoundlis accomplished by introducing through -.a..restrict.ejd prime e 5 153211 volume-pi di-ydraulicifjfluidLintothe .dashpot cylinder in advance of the driven or dashpot piston during the withdrawal movement of the driving piston. Thus, upon the next succeeding rapid advance stroke of the driving piston, the latter will engage the driven or dashpot piston slightly before the drill engages the workpiece, as determined by the extent of the rebound. Accordingly the rapid advance movement of the drill toward the workpiece will be cushioned and retarded before the drill strikes the workpiece.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic step feed drill control apparatus of the foregoing nature, which is operative in response to the quantity of hydraulic fluid discharged from the dashpot cylinder to determine the depth of the drilling stroke at retarded speed, and which is readily amendable to adjustment of the lengths of both the rapid advance stroke and slower drilling stroke, as well as the speed of the drilling strokeand the position of the drill with respect to the workpiece at various stages of the drilling operation. 7 Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a semi-schematic fragmentary view showing an embodiment of the hydraulic step feed drill control apparatus employing the present invention, with the electrical and hydraulic circuits schematically superimposed thereon.

of description and not of limitation.

Referring to the drawing, one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by way of example comprising a sliding carriage I mounted to ride or slide along a guideway toward or from a workpiece to be drilled (not shown). Extending through the upper portion of the carriage Ill parallel to the guideway II is a nonrotatable tubular shaft housing l2 having a thrust bearing housing I3 at its forward end and being suitably clamped in adjusted position to the carriage Ill for movement therewith by a screw type clamping lever l4. Rotatable coaxially within the housing I2 is a shaft I5 having its forward portion journaled within the bearing housing [3 and terminating in an enlarged integral head I6 projected forward of the housing I3 and provided with a forward opening tool holding socket ll. The latter is adapted to receive the shank of a drill securely therein so as to rotate and move the latter axially toward or from the workpiece upon corresponding movement of the carriage I!) along the guideway 7 The rearward portion of the shaft I5 is provided with a coaxial rearward opening bore a within which is splined the forward end of a rotatable drive shaft I8, suitably rotated by means not shown, whereby the shaft I5 is movable axially in telescoping relation with respect to the drive shaft l8 and at the same time rotated therewith. The structure described thus far may be conventional if desired and is accordingly not discussed in detail.

Linear movement of the carirage I0 along the way II is effected by a plunger I9 suitably secured at its forward end to the carriage I 0'. From the carriage III, the plunger I9 extends rearward parallel to the way II and is rigidly secured at its rearward end to a hydraulically actuated driving piston 20 movable within a fixed cylinder 2|. The latter is closed at its rearward end by an end plate 22 suitably secured to a fixed support 23 and is closed at its forward end by an apertured end plate 25 through which the plunger I9 is slidable upon actuation of the piston 20. The plate 25 is provided with the usual oil seal 26 and packing gland 21 and is also suitably secured to a fixed forward support 28. Intermediate the end plates 22 and 25 and recessed into the inner wall of the cylinder 2| is a stop 33 which may comprise a split ring if desired and which for, the sake of discussion may be said to dividethe cylinder 2| into a rearward driving cylinder portion for the driving piston 20 and a forward dashpot cylinder nor:- tion for a hydraulically actuated dashpot or driven piston 3|. The latter is freely slidable on the plunger I9 forward of the stop 30 and is provided with an oil seal 32 and packing gland 33 to prevent leakage of hydraulic fluid from front to rear, i. e. from left to right, past the dashpot piston 3|.

Replaceably mounted on the plunger I9 and freely slidable thereon between the pistons 20 and 3| is a spacer 34, by which the dashpot piston 3| is driven forward upon forward movement of the driving piston 20 after the latter moves into engagement with the rearward end of the spacer 34, Fig. 2. In order to permit adjustment of the minimum spacing between the pistons 2|! and 3|, the spacer 34 is preferably replaceable on the plunger I9 by a similar spacer of different size upon disassembling the piston and cylinder assembly. Also in the present instance, the housing I2 extends slidabl through a flanged bushing 35 secured within the forward support 28. The rotatable drive shaft I 8 is supported and journaled Within a bearing 36 carried by ,the rearward support 23.

Hydraulic actuation of the mechanism is accomplished by a hydraulic system including a pump 31 connected with a sump or reservoir 38 for hydraulic fluid and operative to deliver the fiuid under pressure to a four-way two-position valve 39. The latter has a return connection to the sump 38 and also connections With ports-M and 4| located in the sidewall of the cylinder 2| rearward of the piston 20 and in advance thereof respectively. The valve 39 is operated by two solenoids 42 and 43 and is shiftable to a rapid advance position, whereat theport 40 is connected to the pump 31 and the port 4| is connected to the sump 38, upon energizing the solenoid 42 when the solenoid 43 is deenergized. Upon energizing the solenoid 43 when the solenoid 42 is deenergized, the valve 39 is shifted to a rapid returnv position, whereat the port 4| is connected to the pump 3! and the port 40 is connected to the sump 38.

The pressure side of the pump 31 is also connected to the sump 38 through an adjustable pressure relief valve 44 in order to prevent hydraulic pressure in the system from rising above a predetermined maximum, and is connected through a normally closed resettingvalve 451m a pprtt'l filocated in the sidewall of tl'ie cylinder tl inr' advancerof the-piston* 31' The -v-alve is opened ,or iclosediupon 'energizing-=cr-deenergizing the lsolenoi'cliflj which? Ifimtdertmefiectdashpot*action ofthepiston s 'iili'ythetcport-flu isralso connected through* an ad jgstable'metering and check valve 52 to an adjustablegaccumulatorgii; 'I'heiormeris provided with: athigh resistance orrestricted orifice'and is adapted 'tdpermitunidirec-tional-flowmf hydrauliczfiiliidiintd the accumulator 5 3 at a'-'s1ow-.:rate', wlierebydischarge offfluid from thepcrt 462 and accordmgly the-'advance'cf'the piston 3| 'are re- 't'ardedr't Preferably-ythe rate'offlow'through the meteringval've" is -readily variable; as by turning an--a;djustment-screw 52a; whereby the-rate ofadvanceof the "cylinder-*3 l isrvaried' in accordance "witH-tliedesired drilling rate; as -discussed helow.

The: accumulator 53 comprises a' cylindrical chamlierclosedat-one endbyaw-cappingplate-eli,

except forthe'hydraulicmonnections thereto; and

contains an axiailymovable piston '-which in eflecticomprises an' adjustable closure -or-bottom for the other end-of the-accumulator" chamber. The-pistorri 5" is yieldingly-urgedj-toward the end plate *fl -b'y mean's ofiacoil spring 5 6 -disposed under "tension betweenthe 'piston' -55- -ancl' a spring retainer- 51; An"a;djj11s ti'ng" screw--58 accessible from the exterior ofthebaseplatetfl serewsupward "therethrouglr and=intotheaccumulator cylinder "so: as to adj ustably'blo ck or limit down-ward movement-cfpiston-55:fl

The "accumulator chamber is also connected witi'r'jer normally open pressure "switch -6 0; and to the-sump- 3-8 through anormally closed" accumulatm"resetting'valve-- GI k Thel'atterris openedor closed respectively-upon energizing 'or' deenergizingarsclenoid fiz in-a'ccordancewith closing or opening' respectively' of thepressure switch 69.

'Thelatterris set to close-an electronic circuit whentthe' pressure-inthe accumulator; reaches: a predeterminedwalue; and to'return to-open-positiorr; after' once being closed; when the pressure 111:: theraccumuiatcrrreturnsgtoizsr zi f 8:"- micspheric-jpressurer maccordance with t-h eforegoing: as the-dashpot" piston- 31' advances; h-ydraulic-- fluid fiiling the accumulato'r" chamber willdepress-"the piston 55 againstthe spring 56: -When-the=piston 55 cmgages the" screw 58; pressure:- in-* the accumulator will' suddently-reach a value sufiicient to actuate andi'close the pressure switch-60; Accordingly'by suitably 'adjustingthe screw 58*; the volume of 'fluid required to be disoharged into-theaccumulator53= to actuate and close the pressure-switch 60 may be predetermined The position-cf the screw 58 may thus be calibrated in terms of -forward displacement -or movement of-the -piston-al if ildesired."

In operation of -'the structure described, them;-

paratus 'is -set" for the drilling operation Icy-mov- 'ingstheipistonsfi fli and sl totheir rearmost' posi- .1 tion's; Fig: 1; and 'by 'a'd justi-ng the' shaft housjug -1|! wit i respectth the carriage -l 0 2 so=that-iadrill carried imthe socket-:1Jtistconveniently with:-

drawn from the workpiece a distance slightly draulic fluid is then pumpedfinto port-A0 anddisrcharged. throughporti IE to the-sump: 38. causing piston: 20 to advance rapidly towards the;- spacer 34 and simultaneously moving the-plunger; l9..'and carriage I It toward. the workpiece; Immediately beforethe drill carriedin the socket l1 engages the workpiece, thezpiston'v 20:: engages the; spacer 34 in: driving engagement; with. the; dashpot: ton 3|, Fig. 2.v Hydraulic fluid inadvanceoiathe piston 3I' isdischarged through the port-46 and thence through the high resistance; metering valve 52 and into; the accumulator; 53 astidiscussed above. I

By'virtue' of "the: small orifice of the metering valve 52; the rate of advance-of the. piston 20 is immediately retarded: by engagement with: the spacer 34, causing the.1drill;tc:.easeiinto the .work; piece and. to ccntinuezat theretarded speed :determined by the adjustment of: the metering valve 52 for the balance ofsthe drilling.'step'.e

Whenthe forward movementiot the LdIiVBIl'iPiS ton 3 I" has proceeded. a. predetermined distance determinedby the setting ottheaadjustmentrscrew 5|, continued downwardxmovementtof the-piston 55' will be blockedbythe-screwed, thepressure in accum'ulator"53..- will. suddenly riser, and: the pressure switch tiiswillbe actuated:to..close:an electromagnetic circuit discussedbelow; As a result, valve Elis openedetotreleasejfluid from the accumulator 53 into the; sump: 38-. and to; permit the accumulator to. reset itself byxaction'of the spring 56., urgingthe pistonifidagainst? the end plate 54; Also as: azresult': of: closing-pressure switch 60,: solenoid .Mrisgxenergized: while solenoi'dl2 is' deenergizecL. causingz'valve 39 to'shift tothe rapidreturnipcsition; Hydraulic fiuid'is then pumpedunderipressure through port Aland discharged from port M3 to the-sump '38itoimove the piston- 2a and; plunger I 9, rapidly: to the-:right and-thereby to causerapid withdrawal; oi the drill from the workpiece. Duringsthezwithdrawal movement, the'plunge-ri-i Bslidesthrough' the;dashpot' ondriven piston 31; leaving-the latter: substantially unmoved; exceptfor 'a slightv rebound of approximately: one sixty-fourth'of an; inch as discussedhelow, in positionr'to be engaged: and driven: forward by the next: successive advance of'ithe plunger 2ll iagainst the'spacer 34.

At the limit of'withdrawal movementof the piston 20 to-the right; a-normally open limit switch (Sa is-closed b'y engagement with a:d'og 6 4 The piston v2!! {then moves; into. driving; engage- Inentiwith. the spacer 341; andipistonril whereby thesrat'e sof advancei isihretarded-aandiiithesdrilh is 7 eased into the workpiece for the next drilling step.

In order to prevent the drill from being jammed into the workpiece at the end of each rapid advance stroke, the port 43 is connected to the port 4| and rapid return side of the valve 39 through a high resistance orifice 65 of small diameter and a check valve 53 in series which permit a slow unidirectional flow of fluid into port 46 during the rapid withdrawal or return movement of the piston 29. Thus throughout the rearward movement of the piston 20 when hydraulic fluid is delivered under pressure through the port 4 l, a very small rearward movement of the piston 3| also occurs as a result of a slight flow of the pressurized fluid through the restricted orifice 65 and port 45. The total desired rearward movement of piston 3| will seldom exceed approximately one sixty-fourth of an inch and is just sufficient to achieve a cushion eifect to brake the rapid advance of the piston 29 prior to engagement be-- tween the drill and the bottom of the hole drilled during the preceding step. Of course a slight rebound of the piston 3| will occur as a result of compressed fluid ahead thereof upon withdrawal of piston 20. However, under normally low operating pressures, the extent of rebound afforded by comparatively incompressible hydraulic fluid is unsatisfactory. The present invention employing the resistance orifice 65 assures a positive and adequate rebound at low operating pressures and is particularly useful with small diameter drills.

The electromagnetic control circuit for the various solenoids includes in addition to the pressure switch 63 and limit switches 43 and 63, a normally closed emergency return switch 61, a spring returned, normally open cycle start switch 68, a multiple contactor relay switch indicated generally by the numeral 69, and normally open relay switches 10 and II actuated by electromagnets l2 and '13 respectively. The multiple contactor switch 69 comprises five switches under the influence of a single electromagnet 14, including normally open switches 15 and 16 and normally closed switches TI, 18 and 19, all enclosed within a dotted rectangle to indicate operation in unison. The circuit is energized in the present instance through a transformer 80 having fuses 8| and 82 on either side of its secondary coil and in series with the re mainder of the circuit.

Assuming that the pump 31 is operating and that the cycle start switch 68 is open, electric power from transformer 80 will flow through the normally closed relayswitches TI, 78 and I9 and energize solenoids 43, 41 and 62.

Energized solenoids 43 will shift valve 39 to the rapid return position, driving piston 20 to the right by virture of hydraulic fluid being pumped through port 4| and discharged to the sump 38 through port 49. At the limit of movement to the right, dog 54 moving with the carriage closes the normally open limit switch 63. Energize solenoid 4'! will hold the normally closed resetting valve 45 open, so that pressurized fluid will also be delivered through port 46 to drive piston 3| to the limit of its movement against the stop 30. Energized solenoid 62 will hold the normally closed valve 6| open, connecting the accumulator 53 to the sump 38.

It is realized that once piston 20 reaches its limit of movement tothe right, piston 3| will merely float with equal pressure on both sides thereof. However, as will be apparent from the following, piston 3| always has a-shorterdistance of travel to its limit of movement to the right than has piston 20. Accordingly piston 3| will reach its position adjacent the stop 30 before piston 20 reaches the end plate 22. The final posi tion of the pistons 20 and 3| will be as indicated in Fig. l.

The above described cycle of operations is started by momentarily closing cycle start switch 68, which closes a circuit through electromagnet 14 and thereby closes relay switches 15 and 16 and opens switches 11, 18 and 19. Opening switches 19 and 19 deenergize solenoids 41 and 62, permitting the respective resetting valves 45 and 6| to close. Opening switch I! deenergizes solenoid 43. Closing switch 15 while limit switch 53 is closed energizes electromagnet I2, which closes relay switch 10 to energize solenoid 42. Inasmuch as solenoid 43 is now deenergized by reason of open switch 11, valve 39 is shifted to the rapid advance position, whereat hydraulic fluid is pumped through port 40 and is returned to the sump 38 through port 4|. Piston 20 is thus rapidly advanced toward the spacer 34. During this movement, plunger l9 slides through piston 3 I, which remains stationary, and moves the carriage rapidly toward the workpiece. Likewise during this movement, dog 64 rides off limit switch 63, Fig. 2, which returns to open position and deenergizes electromagnet 12. Normally open relay switch 10 then opens, deenergizing solenoid 42. Valve 39 remains unchanged at the rapid advance position, since solenoid 43 is also deenergized, and the rapid advance stroke continues. Normally open relay switch 16, now closed, completes a holding circuit through the normally closed limit switch 48 and emergency return switch 61, whereby the cycle start switch 68 may be released to open position without deenergizing electromagnet 14.

Upon continued rapid advance of plunger 29 to the left, it will strike spacer 34 as discussed above and drive piston 3| at a retarded rate, since port 46 must now discharge through the high resistance metering valve 52 into the accumulator 53. Accordingly the drill, which is assumed to be rotating, is eased into the workpiece for the first step in the drilling operation. 7 I

Finally when the hydraulic fluid discharged through port 49 ahead of the advancing dashpot piston 3| into the accumulator 53 has moved piston 55 downward into engagement with the screw 58, suificient pressure develope in the accumulator 53 to activate and close pressure switch 69. Electromagnet 13 is then energized and normally open relay switch H is closed. As a result, solenoids 62 and 43 are again energized, opening valve 6| and causing valve 39 to shift to rapid return position, since solenoid 42 is now deenergized as aforesaid. Upon opening valve 6|, the accumulator spring 56 resets the accumulator piston 55 and the pressure switch 60 reopens when the pressure in the accumulator drops to atmospheric pressure. Opening switch 60 deenergizes electromagnet 13 and normally open switch reopens, deenergizing solenoids 62 and 43. Normally closed valve 6| then closes, but

valve 39 remains unchanged at the rapid return position, since solenoid 42 is also deenergized.

Meanwhile, upon shifting valve 39 to rapid return position, hydraulic fluid enters port 4| directly and slowly enters port 46 through the constriction65 and check valve 66. Hydraulic fluid is also discharged to the sump 38 through port 40. so that piston 20 and plunger 19 rapidly movewto the right-whereas pistona'il slowly-moves to therig ht to effect lthe-rslightreboundaction'j as discussediabove.

rUpon return movement -..o'f the piston? 21) and plunger l qq to-thellifnits Qt -movement at the right,

dog fi l-on sha'f-t -50 closes thenormally openlli'rnit ation has proceeded to -a :predetermined depth,

whereat dog 49 engages -and opens inorrnallly closed .-1imit;switch48 phantom-position,"Rig -2, to---=break the zholding circuit through. normally open but now closedrelayswitch {LG-Hand deenergize electromagnet' 14. =As-a-result switches 15= -and;1-6 reopens-and switches 11, 18 and 1% close, as at the beginning ofathe-operatiomprior to closingfof the'cyclestart switched The solenoid: operated-valveslol and 45 open and valve 39 is shifted to rapid-return position. {I he accumulator thus-resets itself and hydraulic fluid is ,pumped into ports 4 I wand-'46 and discharged to the sump' 38 throughiport 40. :Piston ll I :being unencumbered rIcy the plunger L9 and carriage l0,- moves-to the rright indriving engagethem; withipiston-qfl. iAtthe limit of movement f-zpi$t0l1-3| -to the -riglit,'-piston 2 0 zlea'ves the spacer Miranda continues -to-its limiter-movement. v r

It :is also to be noted that the holding circuit switch JB-Y-can be broken (at ianyi'phase -0f-the cycle by \opening the normally closedemergency return switch-r611,which-then causes resetting ofethe rmechanism at :the condition-of Fig. 1- similarly to theiaction iresulting irom openinglimit switch 48.

In'order to "permit 'theimechanism to be readily adapted ior use in a customary non-step drilling operation, the :hydraulic connection between the metering valve 52 and accumulator. -53-=isconnected througha normally closed valve- 83 to theasump 38. Uponsopening-valve 83, the eacou'mulatornix'i eas-iwell -.as ipressirse switch-26H and solenoid switch Share-effectively eliminatedwfrom the hydraulic and :electricahcircuits. "In that case, hydraulic fluid.- from the metering valve 52 will flow :directlyato -+the sump #38, rather ithan into i the -ispring eloaded accumulator '53.. diccordinglyipressure switchvfifl willenever close-and solenoid 62 "will :never be energized to :open

valve-181 :Thus when: therapparatusis :adiustedfandset as indicatedinzFig: 1 and easzdi-scussedabove, 'but withnvalve 83- open, and cyclestart-switch 68 is closed piston -2 niwill be driven rapidly; leftward in the manner-aforesaid. Plunger. VI 9 :and roarriagel 0- will .-likewiseu-be;moved' rapidlyleftward,

advancing the drill itoward the i workpiece. :By iproperly 'adjusting the apparatus, piston m will 'a- :drilling operation at the -retarded rate suntil uponcompletion-of the operation, dog -49 opens limit switch a 48 to cause-rapid return movement of ,lpis'tonsiz'fl hands] and the carriage H], i. e, to lthe right, as discussed above.

i 10 We claim:

1. 'In a step 'ie'eding apparatus for amach'ine' tool"holder,.means for advancing or retracting the" holder in. successive feeding steps including a'xfluid adtuateddrivingpiston movable 'ina"c ylinder and operativelyconnectedwith the holder, means" to'f'retar'd' the rate of advance movement of "the .drivingmiston at successively -adv'anoed p'os'itionsduring successive feeding- "stepsincludin'gaoashpothaving the dashpot piston thereof operatively "*engageable with the driving piston to be driven forward thereby upon=predetermined advance" movement of the driving piston during eachfeedingstiep; an accumulator connected-with the'dashpot'toreceiv'e' the fiuid dischargedtherefrom upon advance movement thereof 'and 'comprising'a cylinder having an accumulator piston movable in one direction by said fluid; means fo'r adjustaloiy resisting movement of salidac'ciimulator'piston the direction opposite *said' firs't named directions and control means' 'for th'e fluid actuated-driving-piston responsive to thepres sure in theaccumulator-to effect 'retraction movcment of the driving piston.

*2. In a "step feeding apparatus for "a machine tool' 'holdermmeans for advancing or*-retracting advance movement of the driving -piston'-during each feeding -s-tep, an accumulator connected with the 'dashpot to receive the -fluid dischar'ged therefrom upon advancemove'mentof the dasm pot piston; and'contro'l means forth'e fluid'actuated driving piston responsiveto the-volumeof fluid received by the accumulator *to effect retractionofthe-driving'piston.

3. -In a-step feeding apparatus for 'amac liine tool' holder, means for advancing orretracting the holder in successive feeding steps including'a fluid actuated driving piston movable in a "cy inderand operatively connected with'the holder, means-to retard the rate of advance "movement of a the driving piston at successively advanced positions during successive feeding steps including a dashpot having the dashpot ipi'stc'n 'th'ere"- of operatively engageable "with the" driving piston to'be driven forward'thereby upon predetermined advancemovement of the f'd'ri'vin'g piston uunng' each "feeding step, "and control meansio'rthe fiuid 'actuated'drivin'g piston responsiveito airp'redetermined forward displacement of the dash-pot piston to effect retraction of the .wdrivin piston.

4.111 a step feeding apparatus 'for a machine tool holder, fluid actuated means operatively en gagedvvith the holder? to advance or retract-the same, means to retafd'therate. o'ff'advanceia t successively advanced positions of the hOIderYin successive feeding steps including .dashpot means having the movable 'e'lei'neiit" thereof vupe'iiajtively engageable with the hind actuated means lto be driven/forward thereby upon predetermined ad vance movement of the latter during each feeding'step, and control means forfthe'fluidiactuated means responsiveito a predetermined pressure in advance of said dashpot'm-ovable elementkto effect retraction of the holder.

"In a a 'step'ieeding apparatus fora machine tool holder, 'fluid actuated-meansoperatively'env 11 gaged with the holder to advance or retract the same, means to retard the rate of advance at successively advanced positions of the holder in successive feeding steps including dashpot means having the movable element thereof operatively engageable with the fluid actuated means to be driven forward thereby upon predetermined advance movement of the latter during each feeding step, accumulator means in communication with the dashpot means to receive the fluid discharged therefrom during said forward movement, and control means for the fluid actuated means responsive to a predetermined pressure in said accumulator means to effect retraction of the holder.

6. In a step feeding apparatus for a machine tool holder, an operative hydraulic system including hydraulically actuated means operatively engaged with the holder to advance or retract the same, means to retard the rate of advance at successively advanced positions of the holder in successive feeding steps including dashpot means having the movable element thereof operatively engageable with the hydraulical y actuated means to be driven forward thereby upon predetermined advance movement of the latter during each feeding step, means in said system operative to introduce a small quantity of fluid into the dashpot means in advance of the latters movable element to retract the same slightly during retraction movement of the hydraulically actuated means, and control means for the hydraulically actuated means responsive to a predetermined advance of said dashpot movable element to effect retraction of the holder.

7. In a step feeding apparatus for a machine tool holder, an operative hydraulic system including hydraulically actuated means operatively engaged with the holder to advance or retract the same, means to retard the rate of advance at successively advanced positions of the holder in successive feeding steps including dashpot means having the movable element thereof operatively engageable with the hydraulically actuated means to be driven forward thereby upon predetermined advance movement of the latter during each feeding step, accumulator means in said system and hydraulically connected with the dashpot means to receive fluid discharged therefrom during said advance movement, means in said system operative to introduce a small volume of fluid into the dashpot means in advance of the latters movable element to retract the same slightly during retraction movement of the hydraulically actuated means, and control means for the system responsive to the discharge of a predetermined quantity of fluid into the accumulator means to effect discharge of the latter and retraction of said hydraulically actuated means.

8. In a step feeding apparatus for a machine tool holder, means for advancing or retracting the holder in successive feeding steps including a hydraulically actuated driving piston movable in a cylinder and operatively connected with the holder, means to retard the rate of advance movement of the driving piston at successively advanced positions during successive feeding steps including a dashpot having the dashpot piston thereof operatively engageable with the driving piston to be driven forward thereby upon predetermined advance movement of the driving piston during each feeding step, a hydraulic circuit operatively connected with said dashpot and cylinder for the driving piston, and

gamed control means for the hydraulic circuit respom' sive to a predetermined forward displacement of the dashpot piston to actuate the hydraulic circuit to retract the driving piston and to effect a slight retraction of the dashpot piston.

9. In a step feeding apparatus for a machine tool holder, fluid actuated means operatively engaged with the holder to advance or retract the same, means to retard the rate of advance at successively advanced positions of the holder in successive feeding steps including dashpot means having the movable element thereof operativelyengageable with the fluid actuated means to be driven forward thereby upon predetermined advance movement of the latter during each feeding step, and control means for the fluid actusated means responsive to the discharge of a predetermined quantity of fluid from in advance of said dashpot movable element to effect retraction of the holder.

10. In a step feeding apparatus for a machine tool holder, means for advancing and retracting the holder in successive feeding steps including a hydraulically actuated driving piston movable in a cylinder and operatively connected with the holder, means to retard the rate of advancement of the driving piston at successively advanced positions during successive feeding steps including a dashpot piston movable in a dashpot cylinder, means operatively connecting said pistons for advancing the dashpot piston after predetermined advancement of the driving piston during each feeding step, an adjustable accumulator connected with the dashpot cylinder to receive fluid discharged therefrom upon advancement of the dashpot piston, a hydraulic system operatively connected with said cylinders and accumulator, and means cooperative with the hydraulic system to effect retraction of the driving piston and discharge of the accumulator, including means operative in response to a predetermined quantity of fiuid discharged into the accumulator.

11. In a step feeding apparatus for a machine tool holder, means for advancing and retracting the holder in successive feeding steps including a hydraulically actuated driving piston movable in a cylinder and operatively connected with the holder, means to retard the rate of advancement of the driving piston at successively advanced positions during successive feeding steps including a dashpot piston movable in a dashpot cylinder, means operatively connecting said pistons for advancing the dashpot piston after predetermined advancement of the drivingpiston during each feeding step, an adjustable accumulator connect-ed with the dashpot cylinder to receive fluid discharged therefrom upon advancement of the dashpot piston, a hydraulic system operatively connected with said cylinders and accumulator, means cooperative with the hydraulic system to effect retraction of the driving piston and discharge of the accumulator, including means operative in response to a predetermined quantity of fluid discharged into the accumulator, and means operative in response to retraction of the driving piston to a. predetermined position to effect the next advance of the driving piston.

12. In a step feeding apparatus for a machine tool holder, means for advancing and retracting the holder in successive feeding steps including a hydraulically actuated driving piston movable in a cylinder and operatively connected with the holder, means to retard the rate of advancement of the driving piston at successively advanced positions during successive feeding steps including a dashpot piston movable in a dashpot cylinder, means operatively connecting said pistons for advancing the dashpot piston after predetermined advancement of the driving piston during each feeding step, an adjustable accumulator connected with the dashpot cylinder to receive fluid discharged therefrom upon advancement of the dashpot piston, adjustable means to regulate the rate of fluid discharge from the dashpot cylinder to the accumulator, a hydraulic system operatively connected with said cylinders and accumulator, means cooperative with the hydraulicsystem to effect retraction of the driving piston and discharge of the accumulator, including ,means operative in response to a predetermined quantity of fluid discharged into the accumulator, and means operative in response to retraction of the driving piston to a predetermined position to effect the next advance of the driving piston.

13. In a step feeding apparatus for a machine tool holder, means for advancing and retracting the holder in successive feeding steps including a hydraulically actuated driving piston movable in a cylinder and operatively connected with the holder, means to retard the rate of advancement of the driving piston at successively advanced positions during successive feeding steps including a dashpot piston movable in a dashpot cylinder, means operatively connecting said pistons for advancing the dashpot piston after predeter mined advancement of the driving piston during each feeding step, an accumulator connected with the dashpot cylinder to receive fluid discharged therefrom upon advancement of the dashpot piston comprising a cylinder having an accumulator piston movable in one direction by said fluid, means for adjustably resisting movement of said accumulator piston in the direction opposite said first named direction, a hydraulic system operatively connected with said cylinders and accumulator, and control means for said system operative in response to a predetermined quantity of fluid discharged into said accumulator to actuate the hydraulic system to effect retraction of the driving piston and discharge of the accumulator.

14. In a step feeding apparatus for a machine tool holder, a hydraulic system for advancing and retracting the holder in successive feeding steps including a hydraulically actuated driving piston movable in a cylinder and operatively'connected withthe holder, means to retard the rate of advance o f the driving piston at successively advanceldlpo sitions in successive feeding steps including a dashpot piston movable in a dashpot cylinderpan adjustable spacer movable into forward driving engagement with the dashpot piston, a portion movable with the driving piston and engageable with the spacer to move the latter into said driving engagement with the dashpot piston after predetermined advancement of the driving piston during each feeding step, an

accumulator in said system hydraulically connected with the dashpot cylinder to receive fluid discharged therefrom upon forward movement of the dashpot piston, means in said system operative to introduce hydraulic fluid at a predetermined slow rate into said dashpot cylinder to cause a slight retraction of the dashpot piston during retraction of the driving piston, and a control for said system responsive to a predetermined quantity of fluid discharged into said accumulator to effect operation of said last named means and retraction of the driving piston and also to effect discharge of fluid from the accumulator received during the preceding advance of the dashpot piston.

15. In a step feeding apparatus for a machine tool holder, means for advancing and retracting the holder in successive feeding steps including a hydraulically actuated driving piston movable in a cylinder and operatively connected with the holder, means to retard the rate of advancement of the driving piston at successively advanced positions during successive feeding steps including a dashpot piston movable in a dashpot cylinder, means operatively connecting said pistons for advancing the dashpot piston after predetermined advancement of the driving piston during each feeding step, an adjustable metering valve in the fluid outlet of the dashpot cylinder to regulate the rate of fluid discharge from the latter, a hydraulic system operatively connected with said cylinders for actuation of the driving piston, said system including a source of pressurized fluid, high resistance means connecting said source with the dashpot cylinder to introduce fluid thereinto in advance of the dashpot piston, valve means in said system to stop the flow of fluid into said dashpot cylinder through said high resistance means during advance of the driving piston, control means for said system operative in response to a predetermined forward displacement of the dashpot piston to actuate said system to effect retraction of the driving piston and to open said valve means for fluid flow into the dashpot cylinder through said high resistance means during retraction of the driving piston, and means operative in response to retraction of the driving piston to a predetermined position to effect the next advance of the driving piston.

PAUL W. ROMINE. ANDREW ARMSTRONG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the flle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

